Volunteering

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps the Government are taking to increase the numbers of young people involved in volunteering activities.

Beverley Hughes: The Government are working very closely with the Russell Commission to meet the challenge of one million new young people in volunteering and community action over the next five years. We will be building on the success of the Millennium Volunteers programme which has engaged over 240,000 young volunteers since it was launched by this Government in 1999. The recently published "Youth Matters: Next Steps" sets out the strategic direction for this work.

Adult Education

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of adults who enrolled for (a) further education courses and (b) adult and community learning courses already had qualifications at (i) level 3 or above, (ii) level 2, (iii) level 1 and (iv) below level 1 in the academic year (A) 2002–03, (B) 2003–04 and (C) 2004–05.

Phil Hope: The Labour Force Survey (LFS) winter quarter can be used to provide estimates of the prior qualification levels of learners on further education (FE) courses and adult community learning (ACL) courses. The estimates corresponding to academic years 2002–03 to 2004–05 are shown in the following table.
	
		Prior qualification level of adult learners in further education and adult community learning institutions, England Percentage
		
			  LFS quarter 
			 Institution type Winter 2002 (2002/03) Winter 2003 (2003/04) Winter 2004 (2004/05) 
		
		
			 Level 3+
			 FE 41 42 39 
			 ACL 42 38 40 
			 
			 Level 2
			 FE 31 30 31 
			 ACL 28 26 20 
			 
			 Below level 2(1)
			 FE 22 21 23 
			 ACL 21 26 23 
			 No qualifications(1)  
			 FE 6 7 7 
			 ACL 9 10 17 
		
	
	(1) For qualification levels below level 2 the categories provided match those used in the LFS, and differ from those requested.
	Note:
	Adults are defined as men aged 18–64 and women aged 18–59.
	Source:
	LFS Winter Quarters 2002–04

Basic Skills

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made towards (a) improving the basic skill levels of adults, (b) ensuring that one million adults in the work force achieve NVQ level 2 between 2003 and 2006 and (c) increasing participation in higher education for those aged 18 to 30 years by 50 per cent. by 2010.

Phil Hope: From April 2001 to July 2005,1,275,000 adults have achieved a qualification in literacy, language or numeracy and have counted towards the "Skills for Life" PSA target.
	The autumn 2005 Labour Force Survey shows that the number of adults in the work force with a NVQ level 2 or higher qualification has increased by 841,000 since autumn 2002, the baseline for the 2006 milestone of the adult level 2 PSA target.
	The Higher Education Initial Participation Rate (HEIPR) measures progress in relation to the target to increase participation in higher education toward 50 per cent. of young people aged 18 to 30. The provisional figure for the HEIPR for 2003/04 was 43 per cent., up from 41 per cent. in 1999/00.

Child Care

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the availability of child care for parents who work at weekends; and if she will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: We do not collect centrally data for the availability of child care for parents who work at weekends. However, the "Repeat Study of Parents' Demand for Childcare (2002)" survey captures information on the use of child care. It reported that around 22 per cent. of lone parent households and 11 per cent. of couples used weekend child care.
	The Childcare Bill, which had its 3rd reading in the House of Commons on the 9 March, places a duty on local authorities to secure, as far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient child care in order to enable parents to take up or remain in work or education and training.
	Local authorities will be required to assess the needs of parents, including for child care at weekend and other atypical working patterns, and take them into account when deciding how to develop strategies for meeting local need.

European Institute of Technology

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the European Commission's proposal to establish a European Institute of Technology.

Bill Rammell: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 27 February 2006, Official Report, column 530w.

Special Advisers (Overseas Visits)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many overseas visits special advisers in her Department made in an official capacity since January 2004; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost.

Ruth Kelly: Since 1999 the Government have published, on an annual basis, the total costs of all ministerial overseas travel and a list of all visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500. Copies of the lists are available in the Library of the House. Information for the financial year 2004–05 was published on 21 July 2005, Official Report, 158WS. Between 31 January 2004 and 31 January 2006, a special adviser accompanied me on one visit to Brussels. The travel costs of special advisers accompanying Ministers on overseas are included in the annual list of overseas travel by Cabinet Ministers. Information for the financial year 2005–06 is in the process of being collated and will be published when it is ready.
	All official travel by special advisers is undertaken in accordance with the guidance set out in the "Ministerial Code" and the "Civil Service Management Code".

Sure Start

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the Government will report on progress on the Sure Start targets of an increase in the proportion of children with (a) satisfactory speech and language development at age two years, (b) normal levels of communication, language and literacy at age five years and (c) normal levels of personal, social and emotional development for their age; and if she will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The Department for Education and Skills' "Autumn Performance Report 2005" (Cm 6719) explained that the Sure Start targets set in Spending Review 2002 for increases in the proportion of children aged five reaching normal levels of communication, language and literacy and normal levels of personal, social and emotional development for their age, will be measured under Spending Review 2004 public service agreement (PSA) target 1. The baseline and target for PSA target 1 is currently being established and will be available in the next departmental report, which will be published later this year.
	The final 2005 figures for the foundation stage profile in England were published in Statistical First Release 03/2006 "Foundation Stage Profile 2005: National Results (Final)" on 16 February 2006, a copy of which is available on my Department's website at www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/
	The Sure Start language measure assesses children with satisfactory speech and language development at age two in Sure Start communities. The proportion of children both with high word count scores and whose parents were free of concerns about their child's development rose from 73 per cent. in 2003 to 76 per cent. in 2004. Results for 2005 will be available in the next departmental report.

Aircraft Sales (Iran)

Theresa May: To ask the Prime Minister on what date he was first informed of the letter written by Mr. David Mills to Baroness Symons in 2002 on Government assistance for the sale of aircraft to Iran.

Tony Blair: I have nothing further to add to the letter sent by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary (Jack Straw) to the right hon. Member for Devizes (Michael Ancram) on 24 January 2005.

Cabinet Discussions (Iran)

Theresa May: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  on what basis the decision was first taken that the right hon. Member for Dulwich and West Norwood (Tessa Jowell) should not participate in Cabinet discussions on Iran; and what the basis is for her continued absence from such discussions;
	(2)  on what date the right hon. Member for Dulwich and West Norwood (Tessa Jowell) first absented herself from discussions in Cabinet and Cabinet Committees on matters relating to Iran;
	(3)  on what date the decision was taken that the right hon. Member for Dulwich and West Norwood (Tessa Jowell) should not participate in Cabinet discussions about Iran.

Andrew Turner: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions in the current Parliament when members of the Cabinet have withdrawn from discussions in consideration of actual or perceived conflict of interest.

Tony Blair: I refer the right hon. and hon. Member to the press briefing given by my official spokesman on 13 March 2006, a copy of which is available on the Number 10 website. Information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet is not disclosed.

Honours

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Prime Minister if he will reconsider his Department's response to the recommendation of the Public Administration Select Committee to set up an independent honours commission; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: The Command Paper "Reform of the Honours System" (Cm 6479) sets out the Government position. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House.

Flood Prevention

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what percentage margin of error she has allowed for her predictions of sea level rise on the East coast of England over the next (a) 10, (b) 20, (c) 50 and (d) 100 years;
	(2)  what the average level of sea rise was over the last 10 years on the East coast of England due to (a) climate change and (b) isostatic change; and what estimate she has made of the rise over the next (i) 10, (ii) 20, (iii) 50 and (iv) 100 years;
	(3)  what criteria were used in making the decision to require the Environment Agency and other operating authorities to assume that isostatic change on the East coast will be 1.5 mm a year; and what account was taken of the latest UK Climate Change Impacts Programme data in making the decision.

Elliot Morley: The Department does not issue predictions over these time periods. The UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) is funded by Defra and based at the university of Oxford. Their projections for sea level rise were last updated in November 2005 and are given in the form of ranges. For Eastern England these were from 17 cm (low emissions of "greenhouse" gases, lowest estimate) to 77 cm (high emissions, highest estimate), including isostatic subsidence of 0.8 mm per year, for the period from 1975 to 2085. (The years 1975 and 2085 are the mid-points of the periods to which these estimates relate—1961–90 and 2071–2100 respectively.)
	These ranges indicate the uncertainty inherent in such predictions which increases the further into the future one attempts to predict. There is significant inter-annual fluctuation in sea levels due to long-term tidal cycles and meteorological effects. It is not therefore helpful to look at relatively short-term changes over a single decade. The underlying rate of relative sea level rise in South and East England that takes account of both land level change and sea level rise has been of the order of 2 mm per year for recent decades.
	The Department used the range of estimates published in the UKCIP 2002 report (from 22 cm to 82 cm for Eastern England for the period 1975 to 2085, including isostatic subsidence of 1.2 mm per year) as the basis of recommended allowances for use in the design and appraisal of coastal defences over the next 50 years that aim to balance appropriate precaution with the need to avoid expenditure on unnecessary works. For Eastern England the recommended allowance is 6 mm per year or 48 cm for the period 1975 to 2055 compared to the UK CIP estimate under high emissions of 42 cm for the same period. We are in discussion with the Environment Agency regarding appropriate allowances for the latter part of the century and expect to issue further interim guidance later in the year.
	The changes between the UKCIP 2002 and 2005 estimates reflect changes in the isostatic (land movement) estimates. The main source on long term land movement in the UK, used as the basis for this recommendation and the UKCIP reports is the work of Ian Shennan at Durham university. The Defra recommended allowances have not been changed to reflect the 2005 change in estimate of land subsidence in Eastern England published by UKCIP. This and other evidence will be considered when the allowances are next reviewed but it is clear that they still represent a reasonably precautionary approach to the middle of the century. In view of the long term nature of coastal risk management investments and the time taken for project development, it is desirable that there should not be frequent fluctuations in the Defra recommended allowances.

Flooding

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what representations her Department has received on the availability of insurance to those who have been affected by flooding;
	(2)  what steps she plans to take to ensure that (a) commercial and (b) domestic properties in areas prone to flooding can obtain insurance cover;
	(3)  what discussions she has had with (a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on insurance for properties prone to flooding.

Elliot Morley: The Government continue to work with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) with a mutual aim of continuing affordable domestic flood cover into the future. The ABI has agreed and published on their website a "Statement of Principles" which sets out the commitments made by the insurance industry to maintain flood insurance cover for the majority of domestic and small business properties at risk in association with commitments made by the Government on flood risk management.
	Decisions by insurers are risk-based and unfortunately the industry is not able to provide insurance cover to 100 per cent. of properties at risk. Representations have been received relating to cases where people have experienced problems in obtaining insurance cover. However, the number of such representations is in line with our understanding that cover has continued to be available at competitive cost to the vast majority of properties in areas at risk of flooding.
	Policy on insurance in general is a matter for Treasury. Officials from Treasury are included in our discussions with ABI but otherwise I have had no specific discussions on the matter with either the Chancellor or the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

Pollution

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what monitoring the Government undertakes of nitrous oxide levels in water supplies in (a) Bedfordshire and (b) England; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Nitrous oxide is a trace gas in the atmosphere. It is produced naturally mainly by the bacteriological breakdown of nitrogen in oceans and the soils of rainforests. Its common name is "laughing gas" and it is best known for its use as an anaesthetic in clinical dentistry. Approximately 65 per cent. of nitrous oxide emissions are accounted for by natural processes, the remainder is due to man's activities such as artificial fertilisers, manure fertilisers, fossil fuel combustion degradation (and nylon production. Other uses of nitrous oxide are as a propellant in aerosol cans, in place of CFCs and it is occasionally used in the fuel lines of racing cars to enhance acceleration.
	Drinking water supplies in England and Wales are tested for only those substances of relevance to public health. Tests are done routinely for nitrate and nitrite but not for nitrous oxide. The World Health Organisation has not found it necessary on health grounds to set a guideline value for nitrous oxide in drinking water. Likewise there is no standard set in the EU Drinking Water Directive and no requirement in the drinking water regulations for England and Wales for water companies to monitor drinking water supplies for nitrous oxide. Details of nitrate and nitrite standards and concentrations in drinking water are published on the website of the Drinking Water Inspectorate www.dwi.gov.uk. Consumers in Bedfordshire can obtain the most up to date drinking water quality testing results for their homes and workplaces directly from their local water company.
	Because nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas, environmental scientists have shown an interest in its concentration in the water environment. A correlation between the natural water concentrations of nitrate and nitrous oxide is recorded in the scientific literature pointing towards nitrification in soil as a main production mechanism of nitrous oxide in groundwater. However, nitrous oxide is not only produced as an intermediate step in the process of nitrification of ammonia in the presence of oxygen but it is also produced by denitrification of nitrate in the absence of oxygen. A NERC funded study of groundwater concentrations in the R. Bure catchment area of Norfolk was undertaken by University of East Anglia in 2001. The Environment Agency is responsible for determining the monitoring requirements for rivers and groundwater in England and Wales.

Railways

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by how much the cost of a standard return rail ticket between Stockport and London Euston purchased on the day of travel has changed since 1997.

Derek Twigg: The Department has details of individual fares for 1995, but not 1997. Stockport-London fares have changed as follows since 1995:
	
		
			£ 
			 As at January each year Standard Open Return(4) Saver Return(5) Advance purchase return(6) 
		
		
			 1995 95 44.50 (7)from 19 
			 2006 202 57.20 (8)from 25 
		
	
	(4) Used by approximately 10–15 per cent. of passengers
	(5) Used by approximately 55–60 per cent. of passengers
	(6) Used by approximately 25–30 per cent. of passengers
	(7) Book 14 days in advance
	(8) Book by 18:00 hours day before
	Both the Saver Return (a flexible standard class off-peak ticket) Standard Open Return (a fully-flexible ticket, valid at any time including Monday-Friday business peaks) can be bought on the day of travel. The cheapest advance purchase fares can now be booked until 18:00 hours the day before travel.
	The first phases of the 7.6 billion modernisation of the West Coast Main Line are now complete, and new Pendolino trains have been introduced providing a half hourly service from Manchester and Stockport to London. All that has to be paid for.

Railways

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the (a) reliability, (b) punctuality and (c) frequency of trains running to and from Staffordshire; what plans he has to improve those services; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: Network Rail monitors the reliability and punctuality of services for all franchised train operating companies. Data are not available by geographical county, however details of recent performance by those train operating companies providing services in Staffordshire is summarised as follows.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			  Public performance measure (PPM) Cancellations 
			 Operator Period 11 (8 January 2006 to 4 February 2006) Difference from period 11 last year Moving annual average Period 11 (8 January 2006 to 4 February 2006) Difference from period 11 last year 
		
		
			 Central trains 84.5 (9)9.5 77.6 2.8 (9)0.6 
			 Virgin cross country 86.9 (9)4.3 80.5 3.9 2— 
			 Virgin west coast 91.6 (9)22.9 82.7 1.1 (9)2.1 
		
	
	(9) Better.
	(10) Same.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 18 October 2005 proposals to re-map the existing franchises in the Midlands. This change is designed to improve the efficiency and performance of the railways, achieving savings through economies of scale and improving service to customers. This will also encourage better joint working between Network Rail and TOCs to deliver an improved service to customers. Also, work has started on four tracking the West Coast Main Line between Rugeley and Tamworth. This will greatly enhance route capacity and overall reliability.

Regeneration (Teesside)

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact on regeneration in Teesside in the last two years of the use of Article 14 directives.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 9 March 2006
	Article 14 directions give the Highways Agency time to discuss with the developer and the local planning authority the implications of development proposals on the trunk road network, and to agree acceptable solutions.
	Use of this process has meant that the Highways Agency has been able to reach a satisfactory outcome on all regeneration proposals in Teeside that they have been involved in over the last two years. The Article 14 directives have had a positive impact by enabling the appropriate mitigation measures to be put in place ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the trunk road network has been maintained. These measures have included capacity improvements to the highways, and Travel Plan initiatives such as new public transport services to support the developments.
	The alternative to using Article 14 in this way would be to direct refusal of the application due to insufficient information. This would cause significant delay to the regeneration proposals and adversely affect the local economy.
	Four Article 14 directions are still in force in the North East region. The current situation on these is:
	Derwent West Bank, (A1 Gateshead)—Highways Agency responded to comments by developers consultants in March 2005. The Highways Agency is still awaiting reply from the developers.
	A1 Fifth Avenue Business Park (A1 Gateshead)—Highways Agency have agreement reached with the developer on way forward, outcome depends on further negotiations between the planning authority and the developer on work on local roads.
	Corus Pipe Mill (A19 Stockton -on -Tees)—Stockton borough council (planning authority) have expressed appreciation for the Highways Agency's positive and pro-active approach in brokering a solution. They are awaiting final agreement on the improvement measures.
	Rainton Business Park (A1 and A19 Sunderland)—Highways Agency awaiting a revised Transport Assessment.
	In the last two years the Highways Agency have received 87 planning applications in Teeside and have only issued three directions of refusal.. These were for a cattery, a free standing trailer sign, and a detached dwelling.

Departmental Staff

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many visits special advisers in his Department made in an official capacity (a) in the UK and (b) abroad since 2000; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost.

John Healey: Since 1999 the Government have published, on an annual basis, the total costs of all ministerial overseas travel and a list of all visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500. Copies of the lists are available in the Library of the House. Information for the financial year 2004–05 was published on 21 July 2005, Official Report, column 158WS. The Treasury's records show that the Chancellor's and the Chief Secretary's Special Advisers made no overseas visits in 2004–05 other than in the company of Ministers, and the costs of the their overseas travel are included in the annual list of overseas travel by Cabinet Ministers. Information for the financial year 2005–06 is in the process of being collated and will be published when it is ready.
	For the cost of special advisers' overseas travel for years 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04, I refer respectively to the answer given to the former hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Mr. Collins) on 25 March 2002, Official Report, column 734W, and the answers given to the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr. Tyrie) on 19 June 2002, Official Report, column 389W, 15 September 2003, Official Report, column 603W and 9 December 2004, Official Report, column 655W.
	Information regarding special advisers' domestic travel could be provided only at disproportionate cost. All travel by special advisers is undertaken in accordance with the guidelines set out in the "Ministerial Code" and the "Civil Service Management Code".

Population Statistics

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what his estimate is of the current population of each ward in the West Lancashire constituency based on (a) the 2001 Census, (b) electoral rolls and (c) health service users; and what projections he has made for the next five years;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the accuracy of census figures for (a) West Lancashire constituency and (b) Lancashire in each of the last two censuses; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, 16 March 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your questions concerning the following:
	1. Estimates of the current population of each ward in the West Lancashire constituency based on (a) the 2001 Census, (b) electoral rolls and (c) health service users; and projections for the next five years. (58424)
	2. The assessment made of the accuracy of census figures for (a) West Lancashire constituency and (b) Lancashire in each of the last two censuses. (58425)
	3. The population of (a) West Lancashire district and (b) each ward in the district according to (i) figures from the 2001 Census, (ii) most recent electoral rolls and (iii) most recent figures for health service users; and what projections have been made for the next five years. (58582)
	The tables attached provide the information you have requested. Data for wards in West Lancashire constituency are shown in Table 1, data for West Lancashire district are shown in Tables 2 and 3, and data for wards in West Lancashire district are shown in Table 4.
	Table 1 provides the most recent ward population estimates for West Lancashire constituency. The closest available geography to current electoral wards, for which population estimates are available, is Census Area Statistics (CAS) wards. This geography was created for outputs from the 2001 Census and is based mainly on 2003 electoral wards. The CAS ward level population estimates have been published with the status of "experimental statistics". Therefore, the estimates, should be treated with some care.
	The latest available ward electorate counts are for December 2004 and are shown in Table 1 for West Lancashire constituency and Table 4 for West Lancashire district. The ward electorate counts are for parliamentary electors, including attainers. Local government electorate counts are not available at ward level.
	It should be noted that the number of people eligible to vote is not the same as the resident population aged 18 and over.
	There are numerous reasons for this. For example not everyone who is usually resident is entitled to vote (foreign citizens from outside of the EU and Commonwealth, prisoners, etc. are not eligible), some people do not register to vote and people who have more than one address may register in more than one place. Further, there is inevitably some double counting of the registered electorate as electoral registration officers vary in how quickly they remove people from the registers after they have moved away from an area or after they have died. These factors have a differential impact from area to area.
	The latest available ward patient register counts are for 2004 and are shown in Table 1 for West Lancashire constituency and Table 4 for West Lancashire district. It should be noted that patient register counts differ from estimates of the usually resident population for a number of reasons. Patient registers include people who are in the country for at least three months, whereas, population estimates are based on a usual residence definition requiring a stay of 12 months or more. The patient registers exclude individuals who are ineligible to be registered with a GP. People may be on a patient register after having left the country and not deregistered with their GP; similarly people may have moved to another area and not re-registered. Some patients may have more than one NHS number e.g. they may have been issued a temporary number for a short period. Again, these factors have a differential impact from place to place.
	The ONS does not produce projections of population at ward level.
	Official assessments of the quality of the 1991 Census were published in the 1991 Census General Report (ISBN 0–11–691616–8) and User Guide 58 (Under coverage in Great Britain). These were earned out at national level and no assessment of quality was made for individual Local Authorities. The General Report is held in the House of Commons Library and User Guide 58 may be obtained from Census Customer Services—email census.customerservices@ons.gov.uk
	The 1991 Census Validation Survey assessed the coverage of the Census and the quality of the Census information recorded about those people who were successfully enumerated. The 1991 Census Validation Survey: Quality Report (ISBN 0–11–691688–5) and 1991 Census Validation Survey: Coverage Report (ISBN 0–11–691591–9) are held in the House of Commons Library.
	Following the 2001 Census for England and Wales, ONS undertook an extensive programme of work to investigate the reasons for the difference between the 2001 Census and the mid-year population estimates (MYEs) at both national and local levels. This research included a series of Local Authority studies carried out in 2004 which were designed to improve the MYEs in the areas that proved hardest to count in the Census. An extensive review was carried out for 32 local authorities to assess whether there was evidence that the population might have been under- or over-estimated. Included in this review was the Unitary Authority of Blackburn with Darwen, which prior to administrative boundary changes on 1 April 1998 was within the administrative boundaries of Lancashire. Blackpool at this time also became a Unitary Authority.
	The results of the 2004 Local Authority studies showed that better estimates of the population could be made in 15 local authority areas and an adjustment was made to the MYEs in these areas. For the great majority of areas, including Blackburn with Darwen, it was found that the 2001 Census-based population estimate remains the best estimate of the population.
	A full report on these Local Authority Studies can be found at: www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/LAStudy_ FullReport.pdf
	The detailed report for Blackburn with Darwen can be found at: www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/LAStudy_Blackburn_with_Darwen.pdf
	The Census 2001 Quality report for England and Wales provides information about all aspects of quality relating to the 2001 Census. It provides an overview of the quality issues and the studies and analyses that have been carried out to improve the quality of census data. The Quality report is held in the House of Commons Library or can be downloaded from www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/proj_qr.asp
	Additional information pertaining to the quality of results from the 2001 Census for local areas can be found at: www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/stat_methods_qual.asp
	Table 2 provides population projections for mid-2005 to mid-2010 for West Lancashire district, for comparison the mid-2004 population estimate is also included. These projections are based on mid-2003 population estimates and are the latest projections available. They assume that local trends in fertility, mortality and migration over the reference period 1999 to 2003 will continue into the future. They, therefore, may not be directly comparable with the mid-2004 population estimate.
	Table 3 provides the 2001 Census population count, electorate count for December 2005 and patient register count for July 2004 for West Lancashire district.
	Table 4 provides the 2001 Census population count, electorate count for December 2004 and patient register count for July 2004 for wards in West Lancashire district.
	
		Table 1: Wards in West Lancashire constituency: Population estimates, electorate counts (December 2004), and patient register counts (July 2004)
		
			  Population estimate Parliamentary electors Patient register 
			 Ward name mid-2002 December 2004 July 2004 
		
		
			 Ashurst 6,700 4,896 6,889 
			 Aughton and Downholland 5,600 4,626 5,729 
			 Aughton Park 3,900 3,139 4,008 
			 Bickerstaffe 2,100 1,678 2,062 
			 Birch Green 4,400 3,090 4,758 
			 Burscough East 3,600 3,188 3,961 
			 Burscough West 5,100 3,932 5,205 
			 Derby 6,100 4,580 5,828 
			 Digmoor 4,500 3,204 4,779 
			 Halsall 1,900 1,803 2,155 
			 Knowsley 5,600 4,614 5,714 
			 Moorside 4,100 2,866 4,471 
			 Newburgh 2,000 1,718 2,125 
			 Parbold 4,000 3,191 4,029 
			 Scarisbrick 3,500 3,047 3,771 
			 Scott 5,700 4,610 5,821 
			 Skelmersdale North 4,100 3,163 4,425 
			 Skelmersdale South 6,400 5,031 6,677 
			 Tanhouse 4,000 3,346 4,905 
			 Up Holland 6,000 4,954 6,376 
			 Wrightington 4,000 3,436 4,317 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The mid-2002 ward population estimates are consistent with the published mid-2002 local authority estimates (September 2004 revisions) and have been rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. Parliamentary electors are those people who are entitled to vote in parliamentary elections at Westminster and who meet the residence qualification. Those include overseas voters but exclude Peers and European citizens.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics
	
		Table 2: West Lancashire district mid-2004 population estimates and mid-2005 to mid-2010 population projections (2003-based) -- Thousand
		
			  Population estimate Population projections(24) 
			  Mid-2004 Mid-2005 Mid-2006 Mid-2007 Mid-2008 Mid-2009 Mid-2010 
		
		
			 West Lancashire 109.2 109.5 109.7 110.0 110.2 110.4 110.7 
		
	
	(24) The population projections shown in this table are taken from the 2003-based subnational population projections, the latest set of projections currently available. Therefore they are not consistent with the 2004 mid-year estimate presented in the first column.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics
	
		Table 3: West Lancashire district electoral register counts (December 2005) and patient register counts (July 2004)
		
			   Local government electors(25) Parliamentary electors(26) Patient register 
			  2001 Census December 2005 December 2005 July 2004 
		
		
			 West Lancashire 108,378 87,457 87,188 114,808 
		
	
	(25) Local government electors are those people who are entitled to vote in local elections and who meet the residence qualification. These include Peers and European citizens but exclude overseas voters.
	(26) Parliamentary electors are those people who are entitled to vote in parliamentary elections at Westminster and who meet the residence qualification. Those include overseas voters but exclude Peers and European citizens.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics
	
		Table 4: Wards in West Lancashire district: 2001 census, electorate counts (December 2004), and patient register counts (July 2004)
		
			  2001 Census Parliamentary electors(27) Patient register 
			 Ward name April 2001 December 2004 July 2004 
		
		
			 Ashurst 6,732 4,896 6,889 
			 Aughton and Downholland 5,644 4,626 5,729 
			 Aughton Park 3,907 3,139 4,008 
			 Bickerstaffe 2,013 1,678 2,062 
			 Birch Green 4,477 3,090 4,758 
			 Burscough East 3,597 3,188 3,961 
			 Burscough West 5,071 3,932 5,205 
			 Derby 6,018 4,580 5,828 
			 Digmoor 4,530 3,204 4,779 
			 Halsall 1,873 1,803 2,155 
			 Hesketh-with-Becconsall 3,873 3,167 4,258 
			 Knowsley 5,535 4,614 5,714 
			 Moorside 4,177 2,866 4,471 
			 Newburgh 2,045 1,718 2,125 
			 North Meols 3,792 3,291 4,213 
			 Parbold 3,890 3,191 4,029 
			 Rufford 2,048 1,679 2,204 
			 Scarisbrick 3,504 3,047 3,771 
			 Scott 5,681 4,610 5,821 
			 Skelmersdale North 4,199 3,163 4,425 
			 Skelmersdale South 6,329 5,031 6,677 
			 Tanhouse 4,106 3,346 4,905 
			 Tarleton 5,350 4,503 6,128 
			 Up Holland 5,932 4,954 6,376 
			 Wrightington 4,055 3,436 4,317 
		
	
	(27) Parliamentary electors are those people who are entitled to vote in parliamentary elections at Westminster and who meet the residence qualification. Those include overseas voters but exclude Peers and European citizens.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

Trade Balance

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the medium- term effect of the recent trends in the balance of trade on the British economy.

John Healey: The trade in goods and services deficit was £47.1 billion in 2005, or 3.9 per cent. of GDP, compared to 3.4 per cent. in 2004. Despite the recent widening of the trade deficit, the UK's external position remains healthy. The current account deficit for the first three quarters of 2005 was 2.0 per cent. of GDP compared to 5.1 per cent. in 1989, and can be readily financed.

Lesotho

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department has taken to develop twinning and partnership arrangements between Lesotho and the UK.

Hilary Benn: I refer the hon. member for Vale of Clwyd to the response I gave on 7 March 2006, Official Report, column 1387W.

Energy Review

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to his answer of 13 February 2006, Official Report, column 1644W, on the Energy Review, when the latest projections will be published; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

Malcolm Wicks: Our latest energy and emissions projections were published on 16 February 2006. They can be found on the DTI website at:
	http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/uep_feb2006.pdf. A hard copy is also available in the Libraries of the House, in the statistics section under the title "UK Energy and CO 2 Emissions Projections: Updated Projections to 2020".

Nurses

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) establishment and (b) number of staff in post of nurses is in each of the services.

Don Touhig: Available information on nursing service strength and requirement for each of the services is given in the following table 1 .
	1 Figures comprise Trained UK Regular Forces and FTRS (Full Time Reserve Service) personnel. They include Registered General Nurses (RGN) and Mental Health Nurses (RMN).
	
		As at 1 January 2006 -- Number
		
			  Trained strength Requirement(32) 
		
		
			 Naval service(33) 290 330 
			 Officers 90 110 
			 Other ranks 200 220 
			 Army(34)(5126060035) 840 1,080 
			 Officers(36) 270 380 
			 Other ranks 570 690 
			
			 Royal Air Force 420 430 
			 Officers(37) 120 130 
			 Other ranks 300 300 
		
	
	(32) Requirement is establishment and manning and training margin (MTM).
	(33) Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service (QARNNS).
	(34) Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC).
	(35) Army requirement is based on the Regular Army Liability 09.
	(36) Figures exclude the ranks Colonel and above.
	(37) Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service ( MRAFNS).
	Source:
	DASA (Tri-Service)
	In light of current operational planning assumptions, the tri-Service manning requirement for the Defence Medical Services (DMS) is currently under review. As a result, the total DMS requirement figures are expected to decrease in the near future.
	All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Due to the rounding methods used, figures may not always equal the sum of the parts. When rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in five have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Gambling

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the number of problem gamblers.

Richard Caborn: The current estimate is that 0.6 per cent. of the adult population are problem gamblers. This figure is drawn from the most recent authoritative research: Kerry Sproston, Bob Erens and Jim Orford (2000): "Gambling Behaviour in Britain: Results from the British Gambling Prevalence Study" (National Centre for Social Research, June 2000). During the coming year, and before the Gambling Act 2005 is implemented, the Gambling Commission will be conducting new research into the prevalence of problem gambling.

Thames Gateway

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  if he will estimate the likely cost to public funds associated with the Thames Gateway regeneration project, including costs in respect of additional urban centre renewal and management, site acquisition and decontamination, flood defence and new transport infrastructure;
	(2)  if he will estimate the expenditure likely to be required to deliver the expansion of (a) public services and (b) utilities in each district of the Thames Gateway as a consequence of his plans for the area.

Yvette Cooper: Between 2003 and 2006, the Government will have spent approximately £6 billion in the Thames Gateway. A breakdown of these expenditures is included in the publication "Creating Sustainable Communities: Delivering the Thames Gateway".

Thames Gateway

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Government has (a) estimated how much affordable key worker housing will need to be made available in the Thames Gateway to meet the staffing needs of frontline public services and (b) assessed where such housing will be required; and what assessment the Government has made of whether sufficient resources have been identified to provide for that housing.

Yvette Cooper: A target has been set that at least 120,000 homes will be built across the Thames Gateway of which at least 35 per cent. will be affordable for rent or purchase by first time buyers including key workers. This target is set out in "Creating Sustainable Communities: delivering the Thames Gateway".
	Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing (PPG3) advises that assessments of housing need, including affordable key worker housing and family housing, are matters for local authorities to undertake in the light of their local circumstances. These assessments help authorities to identify where such housing is required as part of preparing their development plan policies.
	Key Worker Living has provided funding for 1,105 new homes for key workers in the Thames Gateway from 2004–06 Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme. Future funding levels will be confirmed when the results of the National Affordable Housing Programme are announced in March 2006.

Courts (Sitting Hours)

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans she has to extend the sitting hours of criminal courts; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The Government's "Supporting Magistrates Courts to provide Justice" White Paper" published on 7 November 2005, states that the Government believe that greater flexibility should be introduced for magistrates court sitting hours where practical arrangements can be agreed locally with other key criminal justice system agencies. It sets out the need for magistrates courts to sit for a minimum of five hours per day, for each day that the courts are open.

Electoral Commission

Julie Morgan: To ask the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the operation of the Electoral Commission.

Harriet Harman: pursuant to the reply, 28 February 2006, Official Report, c. 121
	My previous answer stated that the Electoral Commission is an independent body established by Parliament reporting to the Speaker's Committee. Should they so wish, members of Parliament may meet with Representatives of the Electoral Commission to discuss its work in areas such as electoral registration, election fraud and registration of service voters, so we have that additional transparency. Further to this Members of Parliament can ask the Speaker's Committee about the Commission's work.

Benefits

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment has been made in terms of each of the non-contributory benefits of the proportion of people who are entitled to access benefits who fail to do so; what measures are in place to encourage awareness of and access to those schemes and benefits, with particular reference to people who (a) are not able to read and (b) are not on the electoral roll.

James Plaskitt: The latest available information is in "Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take Up in 2003/2004", a copy of which is in the Library.
	There are no specific awareness schemes aimed at people who are not on the electoral roll, but we do all we can to ensure that people are aware of the benefits to which they are entitled and how to claim them. For example, for the third year we are running publicity and marketing take-up campaigns with local authorities' support, aimed at getting people who are entitled to, but not getting, council tax benefit to claim it.
	The Pension Service has also written to every pensioner household to tell them about pension credit. It has done this through a number of campaign initiatives such as the "You're Missing Out" direct mailings targeted at 1.5 million people most likely to be entitled. Direct mailings are issued using the latest addresses held within departmental records and are not dependent on electoral rolls. If a customer does not respond to the direct mailing, this will be followed up with a telephone call and if the customer can not be contacted by phone or does not wish to use the phone to conduct their business, the Pension Service will undertake a home visit to discuss entitlement to pension credit and any other service or benefit to which the customer may be entitled.
	For customers who are unable to read, pension credit has been advertised on national and regional TV and radio. Pension credit leaflets are published in audio format. In addition, the Pension Service local service works closely with community partners to capture a much wider customer base and reach some of the most vulnerable pensioners in order that they receive their entitlement to pension credit and any other benefits and services.
	Income support and jobseeker's allowance information is available to customers through leaflets and posters in Jobcentre Plus offices, and through a number of community partners, such as citizens advice bureaux and GPs' surgeries. Information is also available on the Jobcentre Plus and Department for Work and Pensions websites. Leaflets are also published in audio format for customers unable to read.

Benefits

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2006, Official Report, column 246W, on housing benefit, whether his Department holds copies of the responses to the Housing Green Paper, "Quality and Choice: A Decent Home for All", relating to the modernisation of housing benefit.

James Plaskitt: The Department for Work and Pensions does not hold copies of the responses. The then Departments of the Environment Transport and the Regions (DETR) and Social Security issued the Housing Green Paper—"Quality and Choice; A Decent Home for All" in April 2000. DETR (now Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) officials collated responses to the Green Paper and published the results in December 2000.

Benefits

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost is to date of the Pathfinders pilots of local housing allowance in each pathfinder area; and how much of this cost was met (a) by the benefit authority and (b) from central funds.

James Plaskitt: The total benefit expenditure (AME) on the Local housing allowance and the total local housing allowance benefit subsidy from central Government in 2004–05 are presented by Pathfinder area in table 1. These costs do not represent the additional benefit costs due to the local housing allowance and a large proportion of these costs would have been incurred under the current housing benefit scheme had the local housing allowance not been introduced in these Pathfinder areas.
	
		Table 1: Total benefit expenditure on the local housing allowance in Pathfinder areas, 2004–05 -- £
		
			  Total LHA expenditure Total LHA subsidy from central Government Expenditure met by local authority 
		
		
			 Blackpool 26,698,000 26,453,000 245,000 
			 Brighton 53,759,000 52,674,000 1,085,000 
			 Conwy 5,632,000 5,532,000 100,000 
			 Coventry 13,590,000 13,333,000 257,000 
			 Edinburgh 34,820,000 34,102,000 718,000 
			 Leeds 19,363,000 19,086,000 278,000 
			 Lewisham 24,455,000 24,234,000 221,000 
			 North East Lincs 15,015,000 14,797,000 218,000 
			 Teignbridge 6,133,000 6,055,000 78,000 
			 Total 199,465,000 196,266,000 3,199,000 
		
	
	Note:
	Expenditure figures are rounded to the nearest £000.
	Source:
	LHA1 forms
	Information on the total administration costs (DEL) of each of the Pathfinder areas is not available. Information on the administration costs funded by central Government for the local housing allowance alone is also not available at local authority level. Pathfinder local authorities receive funding based on what it is reasonably expected to cost them in administering the local housing allowance. All Pathfinders are receiving additional funding to implement the local housing allowance, run the Pathfinder project, contribute to the evaluation activity and procure the necessary software. Table 2 provides the breakdown of this additional funding for each year since the introduction of the local housing allowance.
	
		Table 2: Additional administrative expenditure on the local housing allowance in Pathfinder areas -- £
		
			  2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 Blackpool 415,000 305,000 272,000 
			 Brighton 392,000 355,000 256,000 
			 Conwy 197,000 194,000 116,000 
			 Coventry 199,000 217,000 119,000 
			 Edinburgh 245,000 191,000 168,000 
			 Leeds 207,000 235,000 221,000 
			 Lewisham 317,000 229,000 184,000 
			 North East Lincs 253,000 231,000 225,000 
			 Teignbridge 189,000 94,000 111,000 
			 Total 2,416,000 2,051,000 1,671,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Expenditure figures are rounded to the nearest £000.
	2. Of the total figures in this table, IT expenditure accounts for £1,281,000 in 2003–04, £64,000 in 2004–05 and £26,000 in 2005–06.

Child Support

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many current Child Support Agency cases are regarded as linked cases; and what his definition is of a linked case.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Hilary Reynolds
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive. As the Chief Executive is currently on leave, I am responding on his behalf.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many current CSA cases are regarded as linked cases; and what is his definition of a linked case.
	The Agency regards a case as "linked" when it is associated in some way with another case.
	Linked cases can be:
	Old scheme cases linked to other old scheme cases on the old computer system (CSCS),
	New scheme cases linked only to other new scheme cases; and
	Old scheme cases linked to new scheme cases.
	Links to new child support applications can be further divided into 'relevant' or 'non-relevant':
	Relevant links are ones where the new application will have a financial impact on the linked case. This will occur when either the non-resident parent or the parent with care in a new scheme application is also the non-resident parent or parent with care in another case.
	Non-relevant links are ones which will not affect the calculation, such as an address already held on file as one previously occupied by an existing or former client.
	When a new child support application is made, one or more links may be established to existing cases. If a link is established to one or more cases on the old system (CSCS), then these will be transferred to the new computer system (CS2), along with any further cases that are linked to this chain. This is known as reactive migration. Where the links are relevant (as defined above), the old scheme cases in question will also be converted to the new scheme. This is called reactive conversion.
	It is not currently possible to say how many old scheme cases have links to other old scheme cases, and neither is it possible to say how many new scheme cases have links to other new scheme cases. Information is, however, available for old scheme cases with links to new scheme cases.
	As at the end of December 2005:
	There were 305,000 old scheme cases on the new computer system (CS2). These are cases that have been reactively migrated due to being linked to new scheme cases.
	Of those old scheme cases that had been reactively migrated from the old system to the new system, we estimate that around 35,000 cases had relevant links to new scheme cases and have now been converted. We estimate that a further 50,000 cases also have relevant links and are currently awaiting conversion.
	I hope you find this helpful

Holy See

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the operation of the Lateran Treaty;
	(2)  what consultations he undertook before closing the offices of the British embassy to the Holy See; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what recent representations he has received about the closure of the offices of the British embassy in the Holy See; if he will place in the Library copies of such representations; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what discussions he has had with the Vatican about the closure of the offices of the British embassy in the Holy See; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  if he will make a statement on the future of the British embassy in the Holy See;
	(6)  how many staff were employed by the British embassy in the Holy See in each year since 1997; at what grade each was employed; and how many were locally engaged staff;
	(7)  what estimate he has made of the savings to his Department of the closure of the offices of the United Kingdom embassy to the Holy See; and if he will make a statement;
	(8)  what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues about the closure of the offices of the British embassy in the Holy See; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Lateran Treaty comprises three agreements dating from 11 February 1929. They provided for the mutual recognition of the Kingdom (later the Republic) of Italy and the Holy See. The UK is not a party to those agreements and as such their operation is a matter for the Holy See and the Republic of Italy.
	As my right. hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said in his Written Statement on 15 December 2004, Official Report, column 138WS, "there is no question of closing our embassy to the Holy See". It remains an important part of our overseas network.
	The embassy was, however, relocated in July 2005 from its rented offices in Via Condotti, to the compound where our embassy to the Republic of Italy is located. That decision was taken as a result of security concerns and in order to improve efficiency. The move took place with the prior consent of the Holy See. Our embassy to the Holy See remains separate from our embassy to Republic of Italy, with a separate building, flag and plaque. We estimate annual savings on rent to be €59,000.
	On the question of staffing, the new ambassador was appointed through open competition last year. The appointment was warmly welcomed by Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, the Archbishop of Westminster.
	Following an internal review of the embassy in 2005, a reduction was made of the equivalent of one part-time member of staff. Before the review and from 2001 the ambassador was supported by a part-time Deputy Head of Mission, a full-time locally engaged assistant and two part-time locally engaged support staff. (Between 1997 and 2000 the Deputy Head of Mission worked full-time). The ambassador is now supported by a full-time locally engaged political officer and a full-time locally engaged assistant/support officer.

Iran

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether Iran has any undeclared centrifuge production capacity; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: We have no evidence that Iran has any undeclared uranium centrifuge enrichment capability. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency's report of 27 February notes that
	"the Agency is not at this point in time in a position to conclude that there are no undeclared nuclear materials or activities in Iran",
	and that
	"In the case of Iran, this conclusion can be expected to take even longer in light of the undeclared nature of Iran's past nuclear programme, and in particular because of the inadequacy of information available on its centrifuge enrichment programme".

Iran

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of Iran's development of gas-centrifuge uranium enrichment technology; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: Iran's gas-centrifuge technology, in particular the designs for P1 and P2 centrifuges, was acquired with assistance from an international proliferation supply network. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have reported that Iran has conducted small scale enrichment activities at the Kalaye Electric facility in Tehran, and subsequently constructed a test cascade at Natanz which operated briefly in 2003. On 3 January 2006, Iran announced its intention to resume industrial scale enrichment.
	The IAEA Director General has recently reported to the IAEA Board of Governors that Iran had worked on an indigenous modified P2 design. His report also noted that
	"although some progress has been made since November 2004 in the verification of statements by Iran regarding the chronology of its centrifuge enrichment programme, the Agency has not yet been able to verify the correctness and completeness of Iran's statements concerning those programmes."
	Iran has no civil requirement for the uranium conversion facility at Esfahan or for the enrichment facility at Natanz. Most countries have concluded that it does not make economic sense to develop costly conversion and enrichment facilities to support a small number of power reactors. In any case, the Russians have contracted to supply fuel for 10 years to Iran's only reactor under construction at Bushehr; and have offered to continue supply for the lifetime of the reactor if the Iranians so choose.

Novakchott

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will establish an embassy in Novakchott.

Kim Howells: At present, the Government have no plans to open an embassy in Nouakchott.

Police

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were employed by the Thames Valley police authority in each of the last 10 years; and how many of these were deployed to work in Oxford City.

Hazel Blears: The available information is provided in the table. Data is collected by Basic Command Unit (BCU) and the Oxford BCD is fully coterminous with Oxford City boundaries. BCU data is only available from 2003.
	
		Police officer strength (full-time equivalent) (1995–2005)
		
			 As at 31 March each year Oxford(45) Thames Valley(46) 
		
		
			 1995 — 3,854 
			 1996 — 3,674 
			 1997 — 3,695 
			 1998 — 3,776 
			 1999 — 3,748 
			 2000 — 3,740 
			 2001 — 3,703 
			 2002 — 3,762 
			 2003 317 3,833 
			 2004 336 4,034 
			 2005 328 4,114 
		
	
	(45) FTE includes those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. Data only available from 2003
	(46) FTE excludes those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave

Prison Visitors

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance his Department has given to prisons in England and Wales regarding the fingerprinting of visitors.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 14 March 2006
	The authority for prisons to request and take personal biometric measurements is contained within Prison Rule 71 amended in 2005. It states:
	"any person or vehicle entering or leaving a prison may be stopped, examined and searched and in addition any such person may be photographed, fingerprinted or required to submit to other physical measurement".
	Any measurement taken electronically has to be held, stored, and then deleted in accordance with Prison Service Orders 9010 Information Technology Security and 9020 Data Protection Act which are available at all prison establishments.
	36 prisons in England and Wales have introduced electronic biometric entry systems for visitors. The prisons are: Albany, Altcourse, Ashfield, Belmarsh, Bedford, Blakenhurst, Bronzefield, Camphill, Coldingley, Doncaster, Dovegate, Forest Bank, Frankland, Full Sutton, Garth, Glen Parva, Holme House, Leeds, Leicester, Lewes, Lincoln, Lindholme, Liverpool, Long Lartin, Lowdham Grange, Manchester, Moorland, Nottingham, Parkhurst, Peterborough, Risley, Wakefield, Wellingborough, Whitemoor, Woodhill, and Wormwood Scrubs.
	The majority of these systems require the visitor to give both a photographic facial image and an electronic fingerprint biometric which are used confirm the visitors identification every time the visitor enters or leaves the prison.

Young Offenders

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) support services and (b) training are available to help children of school age who have been convicted of a crime in (i) West Lancashire constituency and (ii) England.

Fiona Mactaggart: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood on 16 January 2006, Official Report column 1152W.

Child Protection

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department takes to check whether individuals employed to work with children in the NHS through employment by an agency have been (a) on her Department's list of individuals who are considered unsuitable to work with children and (b) on the sex offenders register.

Liam Byrne: Full guidance on pre-appointment checks for national health service staff was issued by NHS employers in May 2005. The guidance covers the full range of checks required before appointments in the NHS can be confirmed, including checks with regulatory bodies (for professional staff), references, occupational health checks and Criminal Record Bureau checks. The guidance applies to all staff, whether directly employed by the NHS or not, including temporary agency staff and contractor staff and volunteers. Compliance with this guidance is monitored by the Healthcare Commission as part of the Commission's monitoring of the "Standards for Better Health", which include a standard for staff recruitment checks.

Young Carers

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department takes to (a) identify and (b) support carers aged 18 to 25 years; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The Department seeks to support all carers though legislation which has strengthened the rights of carers to an assessment of their own needs as carers and involves the right to a carer's assessment. The Department's policies for carers' services apply equally to carers of all ages, including those aged 18 to 25 years.
	In our White Paper, "Our health, our care, our say", we commit ourselves to a new deal for carers.
	We will:
	Update and extend the Prime Minister's strategy for carers and encourage councils and primary care trusts to nominate leads for carer's services;
	Establish a helpline to offer advice to carers;
	Ensure that, in each council area, a short-term, home based respite support to carers in crisis or emergency situations is established;
	Allocate specific funding for the creation of an expert carers programme which will provide training for carers to develop the skills they need to take greater control over their own health and the health of those in their care.

Air Ambulance

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients have been transported by air ambulance in each of the last five years in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: There is no air ambulance service currently operating in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) defines an "air ambulance" as a planned inter-hopsital transfer service of patients by air. Health and social services boards occasionally transfer patients between hospitals by air, using the services of private companies and the RAF.
	The following table shows number of patients transported by air by HSS boards in the last five years.
	
		Number
		
			  NHSSB SHSSB EHSSB WHSSB 
		
		
			 2001–02 11 20 14 14 
			 2002–03 13 10 23 7 
			 2003–04 13 5 19 17 
			 2004–05 13 18 18 12 
			 2005–06 17 15 25 7 
			 Total 67 68 99 57 
		
	
	NIAS engages the Martime Coastguard Agency on occasions when it is necessary to evacuate a casualty from a scene using a helicopter. The following table shows number of patients evacuated from incidents in the last three calendar years. NIAS systems do not allow for collation of incidents prior to 2004.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2004 21 
			 2005 18 
			 2006 8 
			 Total 47

Food Retail Sector

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what policies have been put in place to promote and support small businesses in the food retail sector in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: It is not Government policy to provide direct financial assistance to established small businesses in the retail sector (including food retail). Such assistance is limited to sectors with the potential to export such as manufacturing (including food processing) and tradeable services. Support is, however, available to individuals starting a business in food retail through the "Start a Business Programme" (SABp), delivered on Invest NI's behalf by Enterprise Northern Ireland. Government also supports Sector Skills Council (SSCs) to identify and address skills needs. These include Improve Limited, for the food processing sector, and Skillsmart, for the retail sector. The SSCs are required to work with Government, educators and employers to meet these skill needs.

Illiteracy

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the illiteracy rate was in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) each constituency in Northern Ireland in the latest period for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Strangford (Mrs. Robinson) on 7 February 2006, Official Report, column 1144W.

Osteoporosis

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Our Health, Our Care, Our Say on (a) the management of osteoporosis, (b) patient choice and (c) the number of osteoporotic fractures in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The White Paper "Our health, our care, our say: a new director for community services", sets out the Department of Health's policy for the development of primary, community and social care services in England.
	In Northern Ireland, the overall direction of travel for primary health and social care services over the next two decades was set out in the Department's primary care strategic framework, "Caring for People Beyond Tomorrow", which was published in October 2005. The framework provides for greater patient choice and for the development of programmes for the better management of a range of chronic conditions. It also sets out a plan detailing actions to be taken over the next few years and development in England will be considered as the detailed implementation of the framework is taken forward.